Meet the Speakers

For the upcoming regional activity - GOLDEN OPPORTUNITIES: Media Relations and the PR Profession, we have assembled a group a speakers that embody the culture of California. From practicing professionals to current CSU, Sacramento students, our speakers will bring to life the ever-evolving field of public relations and media relations.

Let us introduce our guest speakers:



Joseph V. Trahan, III, Is a member of PRSA, an international media relations trainer, a public relations strategist and president of Trahan & Associates. He has conducted hundreds of media training classes across the United States, and in many countries. With over 20 years of experience in public relations, Dr. Trahan has worked with governmental agencies, education institutes, law enforcement and non-profits. He has managed four joint Information Bureaus as well as taught public relations and advertising at many colleges and universities throughout the South.



John Wade is a leading, national authority on dealing with the media. During his television career of more than 20 years as an Emmy Award-winning talk show host, he interviewed literally thousands of guests -- every imaginable type of person. He has written two media books, Dealing Effectively with the Media and Media Interviews: How to be Effective on Television, Radio & in Print. John has taught numerous Media Training Seminars and television performance and writing classes in the industry and for university students. His credits include appearances on the The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, being a frequent guest on the nationally syndicated To Tell the Truth game show and hosting international satellite videoconferencing on Business Management. He has appeared in more than 600 television commercials, 250 industrial videos and innumerable print ads.



Bryan Merica, 34, graduated from the University of the Pacific in Stockton, CA, with a degree in Business Administration. In August 2003, he became President and Co founder of ID Media Communications in Sacramento, California. His company focuses on web based software and services for political campaigns, candidates and organizations through outbound email, website deployment, web advertising/outreach, and grassroots mobilization. Merica is well known in the political community and is especially recognized for his contributions to the Republican Party Campaign.



Andrew Stiffler, 23, is a graduating senior at CSU, Sacramento majoring in Communications: Public Relations. Andrew has had the opportunity to work on campus within the Information Resources and Technology Department for nearly three years. The positions he has held have allowed him to practice and grow his technological skills. His emphasis for this regional activity will be on social networking, web 2.0 resources and the potential opportunities they grant to media relations.



On behalf of the Sacramento State Chapter of PRSSA, we would like to thank both our speakers and our attendees for offering their time and commitment to making this event a success.

With only two days before the event, we hope everyone is as excited as we are! We will be welcoming everyone this Friday evening and Saturday morning!